Rate of Change and Slope - Word Problems

SALES: A daily newspaper had 12,125 subscribers when it began publication. Five years later it had 10,100 subscribers. What is the average yearly rate of change in the number of subscribers for the five-year period?

Question

Rate of Change and Slope - Word Problems

SALES:  A daily newspaper had 12,125 subscribers when it began publication.  Five years later it had 10,100 subscribers.  What is the average yearly rate of change in the number of subscribers for the five-year period?

anonymous · Answer

First get the total change by 12125 - 10100 = 2025

since 2025 is the total change over the 5 years, to calculate the yearly change, just divide this total change by 5 

2025 / 5 = 405

anonymous · Answer

sorry, I forgot the negative since its a decrease. The yearly average change would be -405

anonymous · Answer

and that is how i find the rate of change, right .....?

anonymous · Answer

Thanks for that.  I have a real difficult time with word problems so thank you for adding the negative because now I can see the change as a negative one

anonymous · Answer

yep